ALBANY – A top aide to Gov. Pataki unleashed an unprecedented personal attack on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver yesterday, after the Democrat called Pataki’s top economic development adviser “corrupt” and more interested in his own purported “gambling interests” than in New York’s well-being.

“For Shelly ‘Vegas’ Silver to lecture anyone about ethics is like a bad standup routine, especially since he’s Alan Hevesi’s biggest apologist, has employed a known sex offender, has covered up internal investigations and has presided over a body that had no less than seven of its members indicted, convicted, or resign under a cloud of disgrace,” said David Catalfamo, Pataki’s communications director.

Catalfamo was coming to the defense of Pataki’s longtime economic czar, Charles Gargano, after Gargano was attacked by Silver.

The spokesman’s withering response referenced Silver’s controversial dinner with a lobbyist at a Las Vegas casino several years ago, his support of state Comptroller Hevesi in the wake of an ethics scandal, and his retention of his former chief counsel, Michael Boxley, after the first of two women accused him of rape.

Catalfamo said it was Silver who was undermining the state’s economy.

“It’s laughable for him to lecture anyone about the economy, especially given the fact that he personally pushed through the biggest tax increase in state history and is in the pocket of special interests blocking crucial projects like Moynihan Station and West Side development,” contended Catalfamo.

Silver (D-Manhattan), who was taping WNBC’s “News Forum” for a show that airs tomorrow, ripped Gargano as “corrupt” and said he was more interested in raising campaign cash than he was in New York’s economy.

“Let’s talk about Charlie Gargano, the most corrupt, most corrupt member of this administration,” said Silver.

He claimed Gargano – once a top adviser to former U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato – was selected for a job that regularly put him in touch with the state’s wealthiest business leaders “because he was the governor’s fund-raiser, and he continued in that capacity for 12 years.”

“Take a look what he did to economic development in this state. He has no credibility here. He has interests that obviously lie opposite the state of New York during his entire 12 years in this administration,” Silver said.

“His gambling interests that he’s had over the years, pushing for things that have absolutely nothing to do to benefit New York,” continued Silver, referring to Gargano’s onetime holdings in Alpha Hospitality, a company that has eyed casinos for the Catskills.

Silver also claimed upstate New York was in “such a sad economic state because the governor took his fund-raiser rather than an economic development professional.”

Silver unleashed his fierce attack in response to questions about his decision last month to block the $900 million Moynihan train station project.